After several years teaching fulltime I'm now working, by choice, as a substitute while I am back to school earning my Masters. Recently the superintendent of the district was visiting the school site I was at and they (superintendent,principal, and some other district designee) walked through the room, talked to a few kids and then left. The teacher next door (who is a friend of mine) overheard them saying "She's a good sub." What does that mean? I have good classroom management skills when you walk through? I just didn't know what she was basing her opinion on. I've been at that school many times but the prinicpal hasn't ever said anything to me before. So I'm throwing the question out to you, what do you think makes a "good' substitute teacher? Or what evidence do you see when you return to your class that makes you think the substitute was "good?"
* The sub follows my plans. If they aren't completed, I want a note explaining why. I realize stuff comes up, or takes longer, but I want to know why. Don't just tell me "we didn't do spelling, grammar, or math"--b/c of course, I am quite confused as to what you DID do!
* The sub kept the kids under control. I realize they don't act the same, but I shouldn't have a note that the kids were writing on the board, rolling around on the carpet, and hiding under their desks (yes, I got that note this year--and I have a GOOD class!)
* Papers are checked--if possible. If I have two planning periods, I expect that last night's homework was checked, and any morning work is checked. If I gave a test, and left an explanation of how to check it and grade it, that should be done too. On days when I only have one planning period early in the day, I don't have the same expectations.
I was out last week, came back to a very nice note about my class, all of my plans were done, with short notes regarding what happened in each subject. The homework was checked and passed back, the tests were checked, graded, and stickers were put on them, AND they were put in alphabetical order for me---THAT was a good sub!
I haven't been teaching that long, but I've had a few subs, and I've subbed some myself. What I think makes a good sub:
- I personally would rather a sub not grade my papers because chances are it won't be done the way I want. A spelling test, maybe, but reading, history, English, etc. can be tricky.
- My room is clean when I return. I have come back to find chairs all over the room and wads of paper everywhere, along with students' belongings left on shelves. It sure is a rough start to my day when I come back from being gone and already have a ton to do and then have to clean up my room also.
- If students misbehaved, I need to know what they did, not just a list of names. Chances are if I ask the students, I'll get many different stories.
- If plans aren't followed, I need to know what happened. Was it difficult? Not enough time? Don't just say you didn't do it.
- The students are not allowed to do as they please. I have had subs before and been told by other teachers that they could hear my class down the hallway. This should not happen, and it won't happen if the students know they can't get away with it.
- Short notes about anything noteworthy should be left. For example, was someone absent? Was there an argument between students? Did students have problems with a particular assignment?
I know that subbing is hard, and we appreciate all that you do!
A good substitute teacher is not afraid to leave notes that tell exactly what when on. If my class was naughty, I want to know about it. I never judge that as a reflection on my sub. I expect my class to show respect and be kind.
I also prefer a sub who slows down when they realize students are struggling and not necessarily attempt to accomplish EVERYTHING I put down. I always overplan.
They also leave my stuff in organized piles. Correcting is nice/but I'd rather have detailed notes of what happened.
I subbed before finally getting a teaching job 2 years ago. It is hard work and I appreciate the job subs do. I prefer they not grade my papers. I prefer to do that so that it is done my way. When I was subbing, I never had time to grade papers. But where I am, we only get one 40 minute planning time per day and that is the time for restroom breaks, etc.
I just want a sub to keep my students busy and quiet. I want to come back to a neat, clean room and find a note letting me know how things went and who misbehaved. I always overplan, so I really don't expect all the work to get done. As long as they attempt to get the work done, I am not upset if they don't get through it all. I've had subs before who brought their own things (coloring sheets or word searches) and had the kids do those instead of the work I left. I don't think that is appropriate. Other than that, I'm not too picky.
For me I think these would be the defining reasons....
1) They are responsible and realiable- show up when expected, do the duties, stay until the students are gone, etc.,
2) They can handle the classroom - not necessarily how I would handle my students but they can keep them in line.
3) They follow my plans for the most part and leave me notes as to what was finished, what wasn't, any problems, etc.,
4) They leave my room as organized as possible (or basically as close to how it was when they arrived).
5) I do not hear complaints from parents or students on what happened in my classroom while I was away (other than my angels missing me)
Basically a good "sub" blends into the school as if they are a part of the school in the sense that you often do not even realize that the "classroom" teacher is away because the "sub" is handling the class and teaching the lessons as should be done.
I was a sub for a year and now I have my own classroom. Here's what I think makes a good sub:
- Follow the lesson plans! If you are unable to, leave a note explaining why
- Have good classroom management. If kids misbehave, leave a note telling me who it was and what they did
- Read my sub folder!!! My schedule and procedures are all explained
- Do not grade my papers unless I ask you to. I know that some teachers appreciate this but I'd rather just do them myself
- Please leave the room as organized as possible. It is very frustrating to come back and see a disaster area
- It's ok to ask the kids if you don't know....that's why I leave a list of reliable students.
- Be profressional. You are responsible for a group of children all day. We've had subs who are not much more mature than the students!
1. They follow my plan. I leave a plan for a reason. Do not deviate from the plan.
2. The students haven't had a field day. If it is not in the plan just don't allow it. But Mrs. R lets us have all the candy we want. A good sub will reply, "Sorry, I am not Mrs. R. you can talk to her about it tommorrow.
3. Clean room. I try to clean my room if I have to be out. I would like to come back to a clean room.
4. Finally, notes. I can't stand to come back and not have a note or something. Even if they were angels let me know. A few simple lines is all I ask. My favorite sub here has a page she fills out and leaves.
Wow! Thanks so much for your comments, I agreed with all of them and I do try to do all of the above! I suppose now I should go ask the prinicpal what she thinks.
There are many ways to be a good sub. A good sub tries to follow the lesson plans to the best of his/her ability. If some of the lessons were not completed, a good sub lets the teacher know this.
A good sub makes sure to keep everything nice and organized by clipping like items together and labeling items turned in.
A good sub tries to maintain good discipline by enforcing the classroom rules.
A good sub will leave the teacher a note indicating how the day went, helpful students, or students that did not have good discipline.
01-21-2006, 02:32 PM
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